The Australian Beverages Council is calling on decision makers in the non-alcoholic beverage sector to challenge the way they do business in the lead up to its ausdrinks conference next month.
“Towards 2020” is the theme of the ausdrinks Conference & Exhibition 2014 because the program focuses on the longer term view for local soft drink, water, and juice manufacturers, according to Geoff Parker, CEO of the Australian Beverages Council.
“The industry is evolving at a rapid pace, yet we all get wrapped up in the day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year. This year's ausdrinks will be about casting our minds forward to where we see our companies and the broader industry being in the year 2020.
“The conference agenda also addresses ways to gain a competitive edge around operating margin – and that can mean the difference between maintaining and gaining market share. The program also showcases some of the latest innovations in industry across all sectors: carbonates and juice as well as bottled water,” says Parker.
National and international speakers will also tackle topics relating to production, marketing, health and wellness, and regulatory affairs at the two-day conference, which takes place on March 24-25 at the Gold Coast.
Parker noted presentations by Dr Rebecca Huntley, executive director, The Mind and Mood Report, and Steve McCutcheon, CEO of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), would be among the highlights.
“Steve McCutcheon will provide some insights into what might be on the organisation's longer term agenda looking to 2020.
“We also have pretty extensive concurrent sessions where we delve into deeper topics of relevance to the industry,” Parker says.
Australian Beverages Council is expecting around 120 to 150 delegates and between 25 and 30 exhibitors, more than the previous Ausdrinks conference in 2012.
“These numbers are up on our 2012 event in Melbourne, so its shaping up to be a strong event,” Parker says.
The Australian Beverages Council is expecting around 120 to 150 delegates and between 25 and 30 exhibitors at the ausdrinks conference.
